iTunes Editors’ Notes

With Atlantic Crossing, Rod Stewart began his repositioning from a bluesy rock singer to a mainstream R&B-influenced pop singer. 1976’s A Night On the Town continues this streak with even greater success. Stewart’s own songwriting comes on strong with one of his biggest hits, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” leading the charge, as it brilliantly balances his new playboy status and pop sense with his hearty soulful croak without losing his identity in the process. Much of this can be attributed to his solid backing group, which includes notable guitarists Steve Cropper, Joe Walsh and David Lindley, while R&B All-Stars Al Jackson and Roger Hawkins man the drums. The heart-wrenching story-song “The Killing Of Georgie (Pt. I and II)” that recounts the murder of a gay friend maintains Stewart’s artistic integrity and intentions, while “Fool for You” trends towards the lightweight and fun. As always, Stewart shines as an interpretive singer, casting new gravity and pathos to Cat Stevens’ “The First Cut Is the Deepest,” updating Manfred Mann’s hit “Pretty Flamingo” and adding a modern, Rolling Stones’ honky-tonk context to Hank Thompson’s 1952 country hit “The Wild Side of Life.”

Customer Reviews

Underrated Masterpiece

by
keenan2620

This was one of Rods BEST of the '70's . "The Balltrap" is Him at his rockin' best, done in his signature style. I wore copies of the vinyl out in high school. If you are a fan of "Stay with Me ', "Gasoline Alley", or ANY of Rods early works, this is a MUST for your collection.

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

by
FDWJR

My picks -- (America had earlier just celebrated the 1976 Bicentennial for those of you who remember.)
PICKS: - Tonight's the Night; Pretty Flamingo, The First Cut is the Deepest ( I think this is a Cat Stevens recording, too. Sheryl Crow also does this one in recent times.)
The artwork is a bit strange on the album - Impressionism Painting- I forgot the artist but for humor look up the original artwork and see where they inserted Rod in the painting.

Biography

Born: January 10, 1945 in London, England

Genre: Rock

Years Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s

Over the course of his career, Rod Stewart has had it all. He's been lauded as the finest singer of his generation, he's written several songs that turned into modern standards, he sang with the Faces, who rivaled the Rolling Stones in their prime, he had massive commercial success. Stewart also saw his critical respect slip away during the '80s, when he recorded lightweight pop and although he did record some terrible albums — and he would admit that freely — Stewart will always be remembered...